Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic-degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral joints, which leads to their destruction.Localization of osteochondrosis in the vertebrae of the thoracic spine is called thoracic osteochondrosis.Compared to osteochondrosis of another localization - cervical or lumbar - thoracic osteochondrosis is diagnosed less often, which is due to the anatomical features of the chest structure.It is a relatively static structure in which the mobility of the spine itself is relatively low - accordingly, even with an active pathological process in the intervertebral discs, the likelihood of their damage is minimal.In the recent past, when diagnostic capabilities were limited, thoracic osteochondrosis was considered the prerogative of exclusively elderly patients.Now it is detected not only at a young age, but also in childhood.
Why does thoracic osteochondrosis develop?
Among the causes of thoracic osteochondrosis, the following should be noted:
- pathologies of vertebrae and intervertebral discs - inherited and acquired due to various factors;
- disorders of blood supply to the spine;
- excessive or irrational physical stress on the spine (during sports or due to heavy physical work);
- disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, lack of some microelements;
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary professional activity;
- weakness of the back muscles, resulting in incorrect posture and irrational distribution of the load on the back;
- injuries.
In addition, there are a number of factors that can provoke a worsening of the disease during its chronic course:
- trauma;
- stress, excessive nervous tension;
- hypothermia of the body - general and local hypothermia of the back muscles;
- physical fatigue.
Why is thoracic osteochondrosis dangerous?
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a disease associated with significant pathological changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral joints.Therefore, the first consequence of such a disease is the destruction of the structures that form the spine.The result of this can be scoliosis, pathologies of the respiratory system (pneumonia, pneumosclerosis), circulation disorders of internal organs, diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, cholecystitis).The negative consequences of thoracic osteochondrosis can also extend to the urogenital system.The syndrome of constant pain, characteristic of osteochondrosis, reduces the quality of life and can be "masked" like other diseases, which causes wrong diagnosis and treatment.
How is thoracic osteochondrosis manifested?
With thoracic osteochondrosis, the symptoms are quite characteristic:
- pain - occurs when a person is in one position for a long time, as well as during movements, lifting weights and physical activity.It is characterized by a dull, continuous pain in the area of the shoulder blades, as well as pain when you try to raise your arms;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- feeling of tightness in the chest, as a result of which deep breathing becomes difficult;
- decreased sensitivity certain areas of the skin;
- paresthesia - the feeling of "creeping groups" on the skin, burning, tingling sensations;
- decrease in temperature certain areas on the skin;
- decrease in temperature foot skin, itching sensation, burning sensation in them;
- digestive disorders.
There are two main types of pain syndrome accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine: dorsalgiyu (long-term pain in the area of the affected intervertebral cartilage) and dorsago (intense paroxysmal pain, accompanied by muscle spasms and breathing difficulties).
Characteristic for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is the so-called gastro syndrome - epigastric pain that is not associated with meals, time of day or year.
Degrees of thoracic osteochondrosis
In clinical practice, 4 degrees of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are distinguished, depending on the degree of cartilage damage and the involvement of the surrounding structures in the pathological process.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine of the first degree: the discs between the vertebrae lose their elasticity, become somewhat thinner, and local protrusions - protrusions - may appear in the fibrous rings of the discs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the second degree: Thinning of the intervertebral discs progresses and the thoracic spine loses stability.At this stage, pain begins to bother you, often accompanied by neurological symptoms: paresthesia, numbness of the skin.Fissures can appear in the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc.
Thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine, 3rd degree corresponds to the formation of an intervertebral hernia.
Thoracic osteochondrosis 4 degrees characterized by the complete loss of its shock-absorbing properties between the vertebral disc.Vertebral convergence becomes critical and bone tissue begins to deteriorate.Vessels and nerves are pressed into the spinal canal, which leads to persistent neurological symptoms, intense pain syndrome and circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of thoracic osteochondrosis
The diagnosis of "thoracic osteochondrosis" is made on the basis of a survey of the patient, his examination and examination: X-ray and magnetic resonance.X-ray examination helps to determine the localization of spinal lesions, and magnetic resonance helps to clarify the diagnosis and exclude the presence of benign and malignant neoplasms.
A number of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are non-specific - the same signs may indicate other diseases.This explains quite frequent errors in diagnosis when a patient, for example, is treated for a long time for pancreatitis due to pain, the real cause of which is thoracic osteochondrosis.Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics and the involvement of related specialists - gastroenterologists, pulmonologists - for additional examination of the patient are very important.
Thoracic osteochondrosis: treatment
Taking into account the fact that the restoration of the destroyed cartilage tissue is impossible, the effective treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is possible only in the initial stages of the disease, while the cartilage has not yet lost its structure.Therefore, it is especially important to consult a doctor at the right time - when the first manifestations of pathology appear, discomfort in the back, minor pains, numbness or burning of the skin.
In the early stages of the disease, treatment comes down to taking non-narcotic analgesics for pain relief and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in the tissues and also eliminate pain.However, the main emphasis in the treatment of the initial stage of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is on the use of chondroprotectors.This is the name of a group of drugs that aim to restore normal metabolism in cartilage tissue, resulting in the improvement of cartilage tissue trophism and slowing down its destruction.
With the progression of the pathological process, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation, as a rule, become insufficient, which forces the doctor to supplement the therapy with glucocorticosteroid drugs.In addition, diuretics can be added to the list of medications to eliminate swelling in pinched spinal nerve roots and thereby relieve associated neurological symptoms and pain.The inclusion of antispasmodic drugs in therapy makes it possible to eliminate muscle spasm accompanying osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
With the development of an intervertebral hernia and the destruction of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, conservative treatment loses its effectiveness;the only reasonable alternative is surgical treatment of osteochondrosis.
Physiotherapy for thoracic osteochondrosis
Outside of periods of irritation, physiotherapy brings good results.Effective methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic region include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- traction - dry and wet;
- vacuum therapy;
- acupuncture;
- farmacupuncture.
In addition, popular and effective physiotherapeutic methods for thoracic osteochondrosis include massage and manual therapy.Patients with thoracic osteochondrosis should undergo preventive massage courses at least twice a year.At the same time, any manipulation should be as gentle as possible, carried out exclusively outside periods of deterioration, so as not to provoke an aggravation of the pathological process.
Therapeutic exercises for thoracic osteochondrosis
An important component of the complex treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine is physical therapy (physical therapy). The purpose of the exercises is to restore the mobility of the intervertebral joints, eliminate muscle spasm and eliminate stiffness in the spine.Exercise therapy allows you to strengthen the muscular corset, as well as increase the physical mobility of the patient as a whole, which is an important factor in stimulating blood circulation and restoring pulmonary ventilation.
Before performing a set of special exercises, you should do a light general warm-up aimed at warming up the muscles or take a warm shower.A good warm-up before exercise helps to avoid injuries.All movements should be smooth;Sharp bends and turns should be avoided, which can aggravate spinal injuries.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a chronic disease that significantly reduces the patient's quality of life and is dangerous due to its complications.Timely consultation with a doctor and competent comprehensive treatment, starting from the first signs of the disease, will help stop the pathological process and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.